Pulwama Terror attack: Traders called a Bharat bandh today

In a bid to express solidarity with the families of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans martyred in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) today (February 18th) observed a nationwide trade bandh. All the Commercial markets were closed and no business activity was taking place today. In Delhi too, all wholesale and retail markets, including ChandniChowk, Khari Baoli, Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Chawri Bazar, Sadar Bazar, Rajouri Garden, Kamla Nagar, were observing a bandh.The trade body said many states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, some districts of Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand Maharashtra, Kerala, Eastern UP and Chattisgarh, observed the bandh on Saturday after the trade body’s call. CAIT president BC Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal reportedly said the traders will observe a day-long fast and will pay tributes. With candles in their hands, people in national capital stood at Connaught Place and across different states on Sunday evening to pay tribute to the soldiers. They said the organisation is also planning to raise funds for the families of the martyred Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans.

“In the wake of China supporting Pakistan, the CAIT has decided to launch a national campaign to boycott Chinese goods, the traders’ body said. The Bharat Trade Bandh across the country was peaceful and only business establishments was closed. Essential items and public transport were kept out of bandh.

An all-party meet chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack and adopted a resolution condoning the cross-border terrorism. India also upped diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to dismantle the terror camps in its territory that are used to target India.United States’ National Security Advisor John Bolton called his Indian counterpart AjitDoval and said the US supports India’s right to self-defence from cross-border terrorism.